MERCED, Calif. – The University of California, Merced men's volleyball team hit .328 and recorded 15 service aces in a sweep over first-year program Soka University of America on Saturday afternoon, 3-0 (25-10, 25-11, 25-14) inside the Joseph Edward Gallo Gymnasium.

The Bobcats (4-9, 2-1) 15 aces marked their most in a match since February 11, 2023.

Freshman Gannon Connors led the Bobcats with ten kills and five service aces. His ten kills came on a .692 (10/1/13) hitting percentage, the highest clip by any Bobcat with a minimum of ten attempts since 2020 and the eighth highest all-time. Also of note, his five aces marked a freshman program-record. He is one of just four players overall with at least five aces in a match.

Kam Owens turned in seven kills on a .455 hitting percentage and had three blocks in his men's volleyball collegiate debut.

Angelo Le set career-high's across the board with seven kills, three digs, and two service aces.

Cody Evans recorded five kills and two blocks in his collegiate debut.

Owens and Evans are two of just nine Bobcats all-time to put away at least five kills in their collegiate debut.

Freshman setter Brayden Van Kuren finished with career-high's of 29 assists, seven digs, and four service aces in his first career start.

Colin Ryan was good for five kills on five swings. He also had a career-high two service aces and added two blocks, one solo.

It was all Bobcats throughout the afternoon and an early 8-0 run with Dylan Jong behind the service line put UC Merced on top 11-2. Donovan Guglielmana and Owens each had two kills and a block in the run that created the initial separation. Ahead 15-6 shortly after, a Le kill sparked a 6-0 burst that allowed the Bobcats to cruise to the finish line, winning the set 25-10. It marked the Bobcats biggest set win of the season so far.

Van Kuren delivered back-to-back aces to start the second set and the Bobcats held an 8-2 lead after ten plays. Three kills from Connors in a four-play stretch gave the Bobcats a double-digit lead at 17-7 and then a Pomaikainokeakua Kahaulelio ace shortly after made it 22-9. Connors secured set point with a kill, putting the Bobcats up 2-0 in the match with a 25-11 set two win. UC Merced hit .400 in the set while holding Soka to -.455.

Head coach Ai Prachumsri's team led 7-1 early in the third set highlighted by a trio of Connors service aces. Soka closed the gap to two points at 8-6, but the Bobcats responded well exploding for seven points in a row to open a 15-6 lead. It was a 10-point UC Merced advantage at 17-7 and the lead grew to as many as 14 points at 24-10. Soka earned a sideout and scored three straight before a service error concluded the match.

The Bobcats sweep was their third of the season, first since February 6.

UC Merced held Soka to a -.261 hitting percentage in the first ever meeting between the two teams.

Looking ahead, UC Merced will play at Pacific Union College on Thursday, March 13. First serve is scheduled for 6:00pm inside Pacific Auditorium in Angwin, Calif.